Global printing industry focuses on automation and AI

Major international summits, including Digital Print Asia 2026 and Heidelberg’s Shift 2026, are highlighting a significant shift toward digitalization, automation, and artificial intelligence within the printing sector.

Digital Print Asia 2026, scheduled for September in Bengaluru, will focus on the theme ‘Automation | Accelerate | Achieve.’ The event aims to address how automation, process alignment, and business strategy integrate to drive growth. This follows the expansion of India’s digital printing market, which has surpassed USD 1.4 billion, driven by demand in textiles, packaging, and print-on-demand services.

Simultaneously, the Shift 2026 summit hosted by Heidelberg brought together specialists from nearly 30 countries to discuss hybrid print production and the integration of AI, robotics, and software. Discussions centered on AI-supported production planning, autonomous workflows, and data ecosystems to enhance competitiveness and ensure the long-term viability of print shops through networked production processes.